TPS Members met in Big Cottonwood Canyon on Saturday, February 2, 2019 to honor the return of the light. Known as Candlemass to the Catholics, This sacred holiday honors the coming light and spring and is ruled over by Brigid in the Celtic pantheon. The fires were lit, poetry read, and music played. A meditation to Brigid was performed under the music of “Imbolc” by Lisa Thiel on her album Circle of the Seasons. Offerings included wine and chocolate biscotti.

The members of SLPS met on Saturday, September 22, 2018 to honor the gods and accept the coming dark times of Mabon. The Fall Equinox brings in the spirit of the retreat, the inward lookings of the hermit figure, set for the six months between September 21st and March 21st, the Spring Equinox. Offerings were given-seasonal fruits adorned the altar. Allegiances pledged while asking for guidance during this waning time. Kali Ma and Cernunnos were present to guide the attendees and give advice for the coming months.

Curious about moon magic and the Goddess? Come celebrate her at this open new moon ritual!

As part of the interfaith season and a member of the Salt Lake Interfaith Roundtable, we will be hosting an open new moon ritual for all those curious. We will be working magic by the moon on the first new moon of 2015. The ritual will be centered around the Greek Goddess Artemis, huntress and goddess of the new moon.

The members of SLPS gathered to honor the Moon Goddess for the last full moon of the year, the December full moon known as the cold moon. This is the cold moon since its occurs around the longest and coldest nights of the year. Offerings to the goddess included red wine, in semblance of the blood of the members, and chocolate cookies, in semblance of their bodies, walking the path of the Goddess. Each month brings the opportunity to evaluate the goals set at the new moon, and work powerful magical rights and be recharged by the moon’s energy.

A few SLPS members gathered by the light of the Sturgeon full moon to plant herbs on Sunday, August 11, 2014. Dill, Thyme and Sorrel, were all sewed to the light of the moon, with chants of the Goddess and magic being woven. The pots were magically empowered with symbols and shapes. We will wait and see what the late summer and fall brings of this planting. Big or little harvest? Only the Goddess will tell.

The members of SLPS gathered in Mill Creek Canyon on Sunday, August 11, 2014 for some magical ingredient gathering. This year the harvest brought in lots of sage, mountain dirt, sagebrush wood, oak wood, and Jerusalem sunflowers and shale. At the middle and ends of summer, SLPS makes a trip to get the bulk supplies to for the apothecary and personal use for the next year. Offerings were left in thanks and gratitude for the items gathered. Even a small brown praying mantis was spotted, gracing those present with its beauty and blessing.

A few members of SLPS gathered to honor the sturgeon full moon on Saturday, August 10, 2014. This is the moon and time when sturgeon are easiest to catch. Workings included petitions to the Goddess for blessings and to Kali. Curry egg salad sandwiches were accepted as the cakes and apple juice as the ale.

Thanks to everyone who came and participated in the Imbolc ceremony on Saturday, February 1, 2014 at Dancing Cranes Imports at 6pm. SLPS helped kick off the 2014 Interfaith Month with Imbolc. Lakshmi stood in since Brigid arrived late. The table was decorated with a handmade table cloth by Woman Between the Wolves in the late winter seasonal design. Flowers, cookies, sparkling apple cider, candles and more all decorated the altar. Since the ritual was squeezed into the small time space of an hour, some creative editing was necessary.

After reading Imbolc poetry, there was singing and dancing, cleansing and blessing, all before Brigid appeared. She stepped in for a visit through one of the mediums and gave spiritual advice to everyone through the tarot. Afterwards, everyone came forward to received blessings from her through sacred fire.

The energy was sent out into the universe at the close and the rest was returned to the living Earth.

Saturday, September 21, 2013 brought the Fall Equinox known and Alban Elued or Mabon. After a bit of an unorthodox start, the ritual got rolling at 10pm (instead of the usual 6). The ritual kicked off with the usual cleansing and spheres of protection. President Muad’Dib performed the druid opening rites and led everyone into the celebration of light and dark. The Hermit came knocking to the temple doors holding the light of life. He spoke to everyone, announcing himself as the guide of souls before passing his lantern to Ra who said his goodbyes from the light time of year and finally onto Cernunnos who takes over at this time. Cernunnos spoke of his support and love for each person, how they should not be afraid to push forward into the dark times and look into the soul. He blessed everyone and promised to walk the journey with them.

Mabon magic was worked with everyone burning away a problem in their lives in the Cauldron Awen. Esus danced in the circle as part of the druid rite of Alban Elued performed by president Muad’Dib. Ganesh stopped by as part of the Chaturthi celebrations to have a piece of pie and hear the Mabon poetry read, and with that, the ritual closed till next fall and the feasting of ribs and pickled mushrooms began. A heathen symbol performed with the traditional drinking horned being passed as cheers to the deities went up into the air late into the night.

What a fun day out after Sunday morning tea! A few SLPS members headed to Big Cottonwood Canyon to gather magical plants and items on Sunday, September 15, 2013. River rocks, white sage, wild rose and granite were on the list and after several hours of hunting and gathering, they were successful! Each September brings the opportunity to gather the last of the summer plants and the pre-fall blooms. With the river being almost too cold to wade through, any time post Mabon is just too cold!